Say goodbye to your XM

PaulieK · February 20, 2007

Well this in my opinion is terrible news. I wonder how long my my factory XM radio will function.

General Lee 01 · February 20, 2007

I haven't been paying attention to business news much, who bought them out?

ricko2 · February 20, 2007

Rumor is XM and Sirius to merge. Now, did I need to buy the Sirius SIR-GM1 or will I have to change back to the XM module?????? That is the question....

Green_Monster · February 20, 2007

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/19/news/compa...sion=2007021917

It is true

plainvanilla · February 20, 2007

They have the technology to make it all work.

I just traded from my 05 which I had the Sirius module installed to a 07 Classic with factory XM.

Frankly, I like the Sirius line up better, a lot better.

It was a merger, but the head CEO from Sirius is going to be running things, so that tells me that XM will be absorbed somewhat.

I wouldn't be worried about either radios just going dead on us... the real thing to worry about here is that pinch we will all feel in the butt when they jack the prices way up because THEY CAN!

They used to compete with one another for our dollars, now they don't have to. This almost certainly means the prices will go up. And since satellite is not regulated by the FCC, they didn't have to get approval or considerations for the merger.

Watch your wallets!!

SilveradoLAX7 · February 20, 2007

And since satellite is not regulated by the FCC, they didn't have to get approval or considerations for the merger.

The article above made it sound like the FCC has some regulatory authority over satellite, citing necessary FCC approval for the merger to go through. It also noted this is not a sure thing, as the government tends to frown on monopolies of any sort.

-Jay

plainvanilla · February 20, 2007

And since satellite is not regulated by the FCC, they didn't have to get approval or considerations for the merger.

The article above made it sound like the FCC has some regulatory authority over satellite, citing necessary FCC approval for the merger to go through. It also noted this is not a sure thing, as the government tends to frown on monopolies of any sort.

-Jay

wow, I didn't catch that. That gives me some comfort. But they will have the monopoly.

I guess when Stern went to satellite to avoid FCC regs, I just figured they didn't have much say over that industry.

Truckin2003 · February 20, 2007

they will merge with the CEO of sirius being the CEO of the new company and the chairman of XM being the chairman of the new company...by reading the news its suprising that its not xm running the show. it sounds like serius has been spending alot more money to get the shows they want than xm is. oh well, i hope this just doesnt screw everything up. you know the subscription will probably go up now since there is no competition

FergieDSP · February 20, 2007

according to the article i read it said that both xm and sirus radios would still work on the new system but that they would be producing products to use both services. my question is, would you have to pay the same price if you had a radio that only worked on one of the services as the person who had a device that worked on both? that wouldnt seem fair to me. i really like XM's line up. the only thing i see that sirus has is Stern and i'm not really a big fan. just my opinion. i really dont see the FCC allowing this because it would be a monopoly. but if it does go through i hope they dont hurt one service subscribers and not the other.

Elwood 2000 · February 20, 2007

Being a lifetime Sirius Subscriber, I hope they don't screw up the programming that I love or start sending me bills. In my mind, "Lifetime Subscriber" meant MY lifetime, not theirs!

67ChevyRedneck · February 20, 2007

It's Official. I got this email today. Sounds like the changes will be good for the suscriber. I actually hope they do it soon, as I expect I'd get the Nascar channel back, but it looks like that will be a minimum of 6 months away or more.

February 20, 2007

Dear XM Radio Subscriber:

We want to share with you some exciting news: Yesterday, in Washington

DC, we announced XM Radio will be merging with Sirius Satellite Radio

to form the premier digital audio service.

The merger will create a satellite radio company that will provide

consumers across the country with more and better premium radio

programming. The combined company will be able to compete better in what has

become a very complex and dynamic entertainment market.

Where today our exclusive contracts mean you had to choose between

baseball and football or Oprah and Martha Stewart, the new company will

seek to ensure that in the future, you will be able to access both

companies' programming. And, once we are fully integrated, those of you who

have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the

programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by

their car manufacturer.

This merger should be completed in late 2007 or early in 2008.

Throughout the year, we will provide updates on how the merger is progressing

and information will be available at our website, www.xmradio.com.

Between today and the merger date, as well as during the period

immediately after the merger date, all of your services will remain the same.

The channel lineup, the customer service number, the great music

technology, and the XM Radio web site will all remain unchanged and there

will be no disruption to service. But, if you have questions, information

will be available and maintained on our website, and you can contact

our Listener Care team at 800-XMRADIO, with questions and concerns.

XM Radio continues to be committed to providing you the highest quality

audio entertainment and customer service available today. After the

merger, our new company will be able to offer you the most exciting

listening experience in radio.

Sincerely,

Hugh Panero

CEO, XM Satellite Radio

FergieDSP · February 20, 2007

yup, just got that email also. i would like to get Nascar back as well, but i hope with the factory radio i have that i will be able to get what Sirus has to offer as well.

It's Official. I got this email today. Sounds like the changes will be good for the suscriber. I actually hope they do it soon, as I expect I'd get the Nascar channel back, but it looks like that will be a minimum of 6 months away or more.

February 20, 2007

Dear XM Radio Subscriber:

We want to share with you some exciting news: Yesterday, in Washington

DC, we announced XM Radio will be merging with Sirius Satellite Radio

to form the premier digital audio service.

The merger will create a satellite radio company that will provide

consumers across the country with more and better premium radio

programming. The combined company will be able to compete better in what has

become a very complex and dynamic entertainment market.

Where today our exclusive contracts mean you had to choose between

baseball and football or Oprah and Martha Stewart, the new company will

seek to ensure that in the future, you will be able to access both

companies' programming. And, once we are fully integrated, those of you who

have factory-installed satellite radio will no longer be limited to the

programming provided by the exclusive satellite radio service chosen by

their car manufacturer.

This merger should be completed in late 2007 or early in 2008.

Throughout the year, we will provide updates on how the merger is progressing

and information will be available at our website, www.xmradio.com.

Between today and the merger date, as well as during the period

immediately after the merger date, all of your services will remain the same.

The channel lineup, the customer service number, the great music

technology, and the XM Radio web site will all remain unchanged and there

will be no disruption to service. But, if you have questions, information

will be available and maintained on our website, and you can contact

our Listener Care team at 800-XMRADIO, with questions and concerns.

XM Radio continues to be committed to providing you the highest quality

audio entertainment and customer service available today. After the

merger, our new company will be able to offer you the most exciting

listening experience in radio.

Sincerely,

Hugh Panero

CEO, XM Satellite Radio

bryan1363 · February 20, 2007

Well, i got lucky. Thank god i bought a pioneer dvd nav that can do both XM and sirius.

GeoHawk · February 20, 2007

I really hope we don't lose XM's programming out of this. I've had a free 1 year subscription to Sirius in my Wrangler and I cannot find anything to listen to. I ended up putting my XM Roady in it to listen to something.

February 21, 2007

And since satellite is not regulated by the FCC, they didn't have to get approval or considerations for the merger.

Watch your wallets!!

The FCC has nothing to do with merging. The Federal Trade Commission is the arm of the gov't that deals with this sort of thing. I read that the merger, barring any unforseen circumstances, should be approved by September so we have some sort of grace period.

I'm really interested to see how the loyal customers of both companies will be treated. My experience with Dish Network seems to be that they will cater to the potential customers while sort of shoving their current, long-time customers to the side. They don't totally alienate them, but they don't make offers to them like they do to new customers.